Republican presidents usually goose the economy for short term popularity (lower taxes on rich, run big deficits for defense buildup, crush unions, etc) while Democratic presidents undo the damage (retool taxation and entitlement to bring budgets more in line, give workers benefits). As such, Dems plant seeds for future prosperity that sometimes Repubs inherit and exploit, cycle repeats. In my lifetime, I learned that "Repubs are better with economy" is not necessarily true. Obama's Simpson Bowles was a great concept, tragically torpedoed by Paul Ryan (who probably now regrets). Repubs have learned to work their Red State advantage (rural districts, who outnumber urban, can even control voting?) Ironically, for all the talk, Dem/urbans less overall crime, better economies, even wage better wars. I'm hoping for emergence of Moderate party which can bring economic/diplomatic/rule of law balance to all this. Internationally, Liberal Democracies have the same advantages (smarter, more diverse, but have to keep excesses in check).